MHIS on Policy Break, has not been stopped: Hek

Staff ReporterSHILLONG, Oct 31: The state’s Health Minister, AL Hek has informed that the Megha Health Insurance Scheme (MHIS) is on a ‘Policy Break’ and has not been stopped altogether.In a press release issued on Wednesday, Hek said that the state government, in fact, has made endeavours to continue MHIS in convergence with the national scheme, Ayushman Bharat – Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY).

He also said that the upcoming scheme will bring about further improvements and an enhanced coverage of Rs. 5 lakhs per household as compared to the previous coverage of Rs. 2.8 lakhs per household.“In Meghalaya, the scheme will be universalized as the scheme will be made available to all citizens of Meghalaya, barring State and Central Government employees,” Hek informed.He also said that currently, the Department of Health and Family Welfare via the State Nodal Agency – MHIS is in the process of selecting the insurance company for the next phase of MHIS policy period with a re – tender issued on October 26, 2018; and looking to finalize the selection of insurance company at the earliest.“Constant efforts on the integration of the varied platforms on which this convergence will take place are also being done,” Hek informed.Hek also recalled that during the transition from MHIS – Phase II to MHIS – Phase III, there were similar challenges faced due to which there was a policy break from November 1, 2016 to June 30, 2017.In this backdrop, Hek assured that the government is making all efforts to launch the next phase of MHIS in convergence with AB – PMJAY and that it remains committed to provide the citizens of the state a universal health insurance scheme.As such, Hek, on behalf of the state government has urged the citizens of the state to cooperate until the launch of the next phase of MHIS.